Hearth tool



May 30, w T L HEARTH TOOL Filed Oct. 18 1952 14/- I'LSiaZl Patented May 30, 1933 WILLIAM H. STALL, F DUNDALK, MARYLAND HELAR'IH TOOL Application filed October 18, 1932. Serial No. 638,373.

This invention relates to a hearth tool and it is an object of the invention to provide a tool of this kind having means whereby molten metal retained within a pocket or hole in the bottom or fiat of an open hearth or the like may be quickly and effectively removed from the hole to be drained out from the hearth in the regular way.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind whereby pneumatic means may be employed for blowing out molten metal which may be retained within a hole or pocket formed within the bottom of an open hearth.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved hearth tool whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation and diagrammatic in character illustrating a hearth tool constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and showing its manner of use;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the tool as herein disclosed with an intermediate portion broken away;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substan- 40 tially on the line 33 of Figure 2.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, H denotes an open hearth of a conventional type which has had formed in its bottom a pocket or hole 1. In practice these holes run from one to two feet in depth and are otherwise of such dimensions as to retain a considerable amount of molten metal 2. It is, therefore, important that an effective and convenient means be found for cleaning out such molten metal and in practice my improved tool as herein embodied has been found to accomplish this result with decided facility and advantage. As illustrated in the accompanying drawing the tool comprises a head 3 preferably oblong in form 5 and made of fire clay or other suitable refractory material effectively resisting the heat of the molten metal when the head 3 is emerged or submerged within such material.

At one end portion the head 3 is provided 69 with a laterally and outwardly inclined neck 4; integral with the head 3 and terminating in a flat outer end face 5. The end portion of the head 3 carrying the neck a may be termed the upper portion of the head while the face of the head 3 from which the neck 4 extends may be called the rear face.

The lower end portion of the head 3 preferably in close proximity to the front face of the head is provided with an inwardly disposed opening or passageway 6 preferably conoidal, the outer end of said opening or passageway 6 opening through the lower end face of the head 3. The inner or restricted end portion of the opening or passageway 6 is in communication from below with the inner end portion of an inwardly and downwardly inclined nozzle opening or port 7 preferably straight from end to end and having its upper or outer end opening through the front face of the head 3.

In the production of the head 3 a tubular member 8 is embedded therein to provide a conduit 9 having communication with the inner or lower end of the nozzle opening 7. 8 This tubular member 8, and likewise the re sultant conduit 9, extends axially of the neck 4 within the head 3 proper and then disposed downwardly, as at 8', of the head in a direction lengthwise thereof and terminates in a curved portion 8a assuring the desired effective communication with the inner or lower end of the nozzle opening 7 The member 8 extends beyond the out-er flat face of the neck 4 and threaded or otherwise secured upon said extended portion of the member 8 is a cap member 10, the central bore of which being defined by an outstanding sleeve 11 which directly threads upon the extended portion of the conduit 8 and which sleeve 11 also provides means whereby a continuing tubular member 12 may be eflectively coupled to the member 8.

The member 12 is of desired length and in practice is about eighteen feet long although I do not wish to limit myself to any particular dimensions. The outer end portion of the tubular member 12 is adapted to have coupled thereto a flexible pipe line 14 leading from a suitable source of air under pressure.

In threaded engagement with the side flange 10 of the cap member 10 is an end portion of an elongated sleeve 15. This sleeve 15 is of a length to extend along and surround the major portion of the tubular member 12 and of such diameter to assure a surrounding chamber 16 to contain a supply of water or kindred fluid tor the purpose of keeping the sleeve 15 cool to enable eflective handling of the tool by the workman.

The outer end portion of the sleeve 15 has in threaded engagement therewith a second cap member 17 which also closely surrounds the tubular member 12 in close proximity to the outer end portion thereof. Disposed through the head of the member 17 and preferably at diametrically opposed points are the nipples 18 and 19. One of these nipples, as 18, has coupled thereto a flexible pipe line 20 leading from a suitable source of water supply under pressure while the second nipple 19 has in communication therewith a flexible pipe line 21 of any desired length so that the same may be caused to discharge at a desired location. The nipples 18 and 19 provide means whereby water or kindred cooling fluid may be caused to circulate within the sleeve 15 to assure the same being maintained cool.

In practice the workman operates the tool to immerse or submerge the head 3, as may be required, within the molten metal held in a pocket or hole 1 in the bottom or other wall of an open hearth. The air pressure passing down through the member 12 and through the conduit 9 and out through the nozzle i will blow out from the pocket or hole the molten metal therein. As the head 3 is lowered within the molten metal such metal will pass up through the opening or passageway 6 into the nozzle opening 7, and as long as it is possible to do so the head 3 is to be immersed within the molten metal a distance sufficient to have the level of such molten metal positioned above the upper or discharge end of the nozzle opening 7. By resting the sleeve 15 upon the bank, breast or other part of the hearth the operator may readily manipulate the tool to engage the head 3 within the diflerently located pockets or holes 1 and also to otherwise manipulate or adjust the head 3 with respect to a single hole or pocket 1 in which the tool is being used.

In practice it has been found that the tool as herein disclosed effectively blows out the molten nIetal within the hole or pocket 1 except probably for a lower depth equal to the length of the opening or passageway 6. This metal after being blown out will be drained from the hearth in the regular way.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a hearth tool constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. A hearth tool comprising a head adapted to be immersed within molten metal within a pocket or hole in a hearth wall, said head having a nozzle opening in a side face and an opening in its bottom face in communication with the nozzle opening the second named opening being in a metal receiving position when the head is immersed within the molten metal, and means for exerting an aspirating effect upon the metal within the nozzle opening to eject the molten metal from the hole or pocket in the hearth wall.

2. A hearth tool comprising a head adapted to be immersed within molten metal within a pocket or hole in a hearth wall, said head having a nozzle opening in a side face and an opening in its bottom face in communication with the nozzle opening, the second named opening being in a metal receiving position when the head is immersed within the molten metal, and means for connecting an inner portion of the nozzle opening with a source of fluid under pressure. p

3. A hearth tool comprising a head adapted to be immersed within molten metal within a pocket or hole in a hearth wall, said head having a nozzle opening in a side face and an opening in its bottom face in communication with the nozzle opening, the sec ond named opening being in a metal receiving position when the head is immersed within the molten metal, and an elongated operating member to which the head is secured, the nozzle opening being continued through the head and through the operating member.

4. A hearth tool comprising a head adapted to be immersed within molten metal within a pocket or hole in a hearth wall, said head having a nozzle opening in a side face and an opening in its bottom face in communication with the nozzle opening, the second named opening being in a metal receiving position when the head is immersed within the molten metal, and an elongated operating member to which the head is secured, the nozzle opening being continued through the head and through the operating 3- member, said operating member having means for maintaining cool the outer surface thereof.

5. A hearth tool comprising a head adapted to be immersed within molten metal within a pocket or hole in a hearth wall, said head having a nozzle opening in a side face and an opening in its bottom face in communication with the nozzle opening, the second named opening being in a metal receiving position when the head is immersed within the molten metal, and an elongated operating member to which the head is secured, the nozzle opening being continued through the head and through the operating member, said operating member having means for circulating a cooling medium therein.

6. A portable hearth tool comprising a head adapted to be immersed within the molten metal within a pocket or hole in a hearth wall, said head having a nozzle open ing to receive said molten metal when the head is immersed, means for exerting pressure through the nozzle opening to carry off such metal in such nozzle opening, and an operating member extending from the head.

7. A portable hearth tool comprising a head adapted to be immersed within the molten metal within a pocket or hole in a hearth wall, said head having a nozzle opening to receive said molten metal when the head is immersed, means for exerting pressure through the nozzle opening to carry off such metal in such nozzle opening, and an operating member extending from the head, the nozzle opening being continued through the head and along the operating member.

8. A portable hearth tool comprising a head adapted to be immersed within the molten metal within a pocket or hole in a hearth Wall, said head having a nozzle opening to receive said molten metal when the head is immersed, said head having a second opening in communication with the nozzle opening to allow the molten metal to enter the nozzle opening when the head is immersed, and means for exerting an aspirating effect upon the metal within the nozzle opening to eject the molten metal from the hole or pocket in the hearth wall.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

WILLIAM H. STALL. 

